We love our Smokestack Series beers. A number of delectable year-round offerings satisfy our daily yearnings, while seasonal and one-off releases add variety and spice to our beer-centric lives. Innovation and flexibility are critical elements, allowing our brewers to push the flavor envelope and produce small batches with ingredients and processes so unique they can’t always be replicated.

Since we began experimenting with barrel aging, we’ve learned a tremendous amount… mostly about patience. Sometimes, when a release was supposed to be ready for bottling, the beer had a different agenda. And that brings us to Bourbon Barrel Quad, a popular limited release that, for the past three years, has come out in December. Unfortunately for 2012, BBQ has decided it’s not quite ready. As Orson Welles famously (almost) said, “We will sell no beer before it’s time,” and, unless you’ve got some stashed in your cellar, we must regretfully inform you that you won’t be able to again savor this robust ale until the fall of 2013.

To our barrel-aged beer fans, we say “fear not,” because we won’t leave you out in the cold. While you won’t be sipping a BBQ by the fire this winter, we’re pleased to announce that another round of Rye-on-Rye will be ready in time for the holidays. We hope you enjoy the unexpected appearance of this sought-after ale, aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels.

For 2013, we’re bringing back some favorites from the Smokestack Series seasonal and limited release lineups, and adding a few new brews we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy. In the first few months of the New Year, you can look forward to a zesty black rye IPA and a distinctive coffee ale. Saison-Brett, Reverb Imperial Pilsner and Harvest Dance Wheat Wine will all make encore appearances, along with the aforementioned Bourbon Barrel Quad and the venerable Imperial Stout. We’re even working on a few collaborations with industry peers that should add a little excitement to the shelves.

As always, friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news on all things Boulevard. We wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday season.